Apparatus for raising and lowering caskets.



O. E. &F. A. SHRINBR & P. W. MILLER. APPARATUS FOR RAISING ANDLOWERING GASKETS. APPLICATION FILED APR.26, 1911.

Peitented Apr. 28, 1914.

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G. E. & F. A. SHRINER & F. W. MILLER. APPARATUS FOR RAISING. AND LOWBRING GASKETS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.26, 1911.

1,095,168. Y Patented A r.2s,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

VII/III Inventors Attorneys Witnesses- COLUl-IIA PLANOOIAFN Co-I WASHINGTON, D. C.

ED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

CHARLES E. SHRINER, FRANK A. SHRINER, AND FRED W. MILLER, 0F MQNROE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO THE MONBOE BUBIAL DEVICE COMPANY, OF MONROE,

APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING GASKETS.

rename.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Application filed April 26, 1911. Serial No. 623,520.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLns E. Snnnvnn, FRANK A. SHRINER, and FRED WV. MILLER, citizens of the United States, residing at Monroe, in the county of Green, State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Raising and Lowering Gaskets, of which the following is a specificaattending their manufacture, maintenance and operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without del'iarting from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section of a burial apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, the frame of the apparatus being shown in its extended condition; Fig. 2 is a view showing how the apparatus of Fig. 1 is contracted in size, or telescoped, when not in use; Fig. 3 is a detail view in transverse section showing one of'the means for permitting free play of the side .franie pieces or telescopic members; Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the relative position of the bayonet slots and openings of Fig. 3, as they would appear if the tubular member in Fig. 3 were slitted longitudinally and flattened out; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the lower right-hand corner box of Fig. 1, showing the details of the governor mechanism. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the construction illustrated in Fig. 5'; Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken at a right angle to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a detail View partly in section showing the centrifugally operated emergency stop illustrated in Fig. 6; and Fig. 9 is a planet said emergency stop.

Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the diiferent figures of the drawing.

The burial apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, is composed preferably of a rectangular frame, which includes the side frame pieces, indicated generally A and B, end frame pieces, indicated generally C and D, and corner boxes indicated generally E, F, G and H.

Each of the side frame members A and B includes preferably an intermediate tubular section 1. and end tubular sections 2-3, each of the end sections beingapproximately half the length of the intermediate tubular section 1 and being slightly larger in diameter than the intermediate section, so as to receive the same in a telescopic manner. The

usual belts or straps 20 for raising and lowering a casket are connected to and adapted to be wound on the sections 2 and 8, and the weight of the casket and its contents is sufficient to rotate the sections 2 and 3 and cause the apparatus to operate to lower the casket. The end tubular section 2 of the side member A is rotated, to raise or lower a casket in extreme cases, preferably by means of a handle 4 mounted upon a crank member 5 which is removably mounted at 6 upon a shaft 7 journaled in any suitable manner in the corner box E. The shaft 7 extends entirely through the box E and at its inner end has pinned or fixed thereon a disk 8. The details of the connection between the disk 8 and the tubular section 2 of the side frame A are best shown in Figs. 3 and A of the drawing. The disk 8 as shown in Fig. 3, has fixed therein a plurality of radially extending pins 9, preferably three in number. It also is formed with a socket 10 in which is mounted a coiled sprin 11 which serves normally to project in a radial direction a movable pin 12. The outer end. of the tubular section 2 is formed preferably with three bayonet slots13-1313, and an aperture 14, the bayonet slots 13 being adapted respectively to receive the pins 9 of the disk 8 and the aperture 14 being adapted to receive the spring-pressed bolt 12. In assembling the disk 8 and the tubular section 2, the spring pressed bolt or pin 12 is pushed inwardly and the pins 9 are caused to register with the outer legs or openings of the bayonet slots 13. The disk 8 is then shoved into the end of the tubular section 2, and rotated slightly, so as to move the pins 9 into the inner legs or extensions of the bayonet slots 13, at which time the bolt 12 snaps outwardly into the slot 14, thus locking the disk 8 within the tubular section 2.

It is desirable that the connection between the shaft 7 and the side frame A shall be in the nature of a looseor wabble joint, so that when the apparatus is placed on uneven ground, the corner boxes and side and end frames may conform to the irregularities without interfering with the rotation of the side frame pieces A and B by the descent ofthe casket. This result is secured preferably by elongating the slot or aperture 14 in the tubular section 2 as shown best in Fig. 4, and by widening the inner extensions or legs of the bayonet slots 13 whereby the disk 8 and the pins 9 and 12 thereof may play relatively to the tubular section 1 and at the same time permit constant rotation thereof, this rotation being imparted as before explained, by the descent of the casket.

A worm wheel 15 is mounted on the shaft 7 and connected with the governor mechanism, as hereinafter described.

The means for connecting the tubular section 2 to the intermediate section 1 whereby the parts will rotate in unison, includes a disk 16 which is fixed in any suitable manner on the inside of tube 2 and has fixedly mounted therein a square or non-circular rod 17, the inner upper end of which extends through a square or non-circular opening formed in a disk 18 which is fixed in any suitable manner in the one end of the intermediate section 1. At its inner end the rod 17 is provided with an enlargement or head 19 which serves to lintit the relative movement of the tubes 1 and 2. Tube 1 is of course rotated with the tube 2 because of the disk 16, non-circular rod 17, and disk 18. The arrangement of the disk 16, rod 17, disk 18 and nut 19 is duplicated in the end tubular section 3 of the side frame A, for the purpose of connecting the parts at the telescoping pointand causing the sections 2 and 3 to rotate in unison.

The side frame B is a duplicate of the side frame A, being composed of the three telescopic sections arranged so that sections 2 and 3 of said frame are caused to rotate in unison' The usual belts or straps 20 for raising or lowering the casket are adapted to be wound upon the inner end of sections 2 and 3 of the side frame pieces A and B, as shown in Fig. 1.

The means for causing frame pieces A and B to rotate in unison so as to cause both the ends of the straps 20 to be simultaneously wound or unwound will now be described.

A disk 21 is loosely and detachably cngaged with the tubular section 3, in the same ranner as the disk 8 is connected with. the tubular section 2 in Fig. 2), so as to produce a loose oint which can be detached or disassembled when necessary or desirable. The disk 21 is secured to a shaft 22 journaled in the corner box F, and has fixed thereto a bevel wheel 23, which is in mesh with a bevel wheel 24 fixed on a square or non-circular rotatable shaft 25 provided at its end with a nut or head 26. The noncircular shaft 25 extends through a noncircular opening formed in a tubular member 27 of the end frame piece D. This tubular member 2? has fixed on the end thereof in the corner box G a bevel wheel 28 which is in mesh with bevel wheel 28) fixed on a shaft 30 which, by means of the form of loose joint illustrated in Fig. 3, is caused to rotate with the side frame piece B. It will be obvious that the tubular member 27 can slide or telescope upon the non-circular shaft 25, For the purpose of bracing and supporting the tubular member 27 and noncircular shaft-25, the corner box G is provided with a tubular member or extension 81 and the corner box F is provided with a similar extension 32, the extension 32 being fitted into the extension 31, so as to telescope therein.

The side frame piece B at its lower end in Fig. 1 is journaled in the corner box U, by means such as the stud shaft 323 having an enlargement or head 34-, said stud shaft 33 being provided with a disk such as S in Fig. 3 having a detachable connection with the tubular section 2 of the side frame piece B.

The corner boxes E and H are tclcscopb cally connected with each other by means such as the tubular extensions 315L436. Each of the outer tubular sections 37 and 31 has an extended spring-pressed pin 37 adapted to engage slightly elongated slots :38 in the extensions as and 232, respectively, whereby to permit slight play of the sections 2&5 and 86 when extended. \Vhcn it is desired to collapse the end frame piece G the spriug pressed pin 37 is pressed out-ward until it ceases to en 'age the slot after which the sections 85 and 36 can be telcscopcd. hen they are again extended the pin 3? automatically snaps inward into the slot 38 registering therewith. The spring-pressed pins can be arranged on the inner tubes 36 and 82 if preferred and snap outwardly into the outer tubes.

From the foregoing description of the burial apparatus, it will be apparent that the rectangular frame when not in use can be telescoped into small compass, as indicated in Fig. 2, and that if desired the side frame pieces A and B can be entirely detached from the corner boxes for c011- venience in shipping the apparatus. More sections can be used, if desired, in the side and end frame pieces to permit greater telescopic action.

Go'ucraor mc07ransm.lhe governor mechanism will next be described with particular reference to Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive. This governor mechanism preferably includes a worm wheel 15 which is mounted loosely on the main operating shaft 7. It is desirable that the governor mechanism shall be so arranged that the shaft 7 and side frame pieces A and B will freely rotate to lower a casket and that the governor mecha nism should come into play while the casket is being lowered. A ratchet wheel 40 which is fixed in any suitable manner on the shaft 7, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and is engaged 1y spring-pressed pawls 41 which are pivotally mounted upon the worm wheel 15 to thereby permit free rotation of the shaft 7 in one direction and to permit the rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction to be transmitted through the pawls 41 to the worm gear 15. The worm gear 15 is in mesh with a worm 42 formed on a shaft 43 which is suitably journaled in the corner box. The shaft at its lower end has fixed thereto a worm wheel 44 shown best in Figs. (3 and 9 of the drawing.

In the event that for any reason the casket should descend too rapidly, it is desirable that emergency means be provided for overcoming this descent. The means for accomplishing this result preferably includes a lever 45 which as shown in Fig. 9 is fulcrumed at 46 upon the worm wheel 44 and at its free end. 47 held normally against a stop pin 48, and thus within the periphery of theworm wheel 44, by means such as the coil spring 4%). In the event that the appara tus should speed up, the weighted outer end 47 of the lever 45 will through centrifugal action swing outward beyond the periphery of the gear wheel 44, and will thus engage the stop or projection 50 mounted adjacent the periphery of the worm wheel 44, to thereby check the operation of the governor mechanism and the descent of the casket. A stop is provided to limit the outward swinging movement of the emergency lever 45 after it has moved outward far enough to engage the projection 50 shown in Figs. 6 and 8. This governor mechanism will operate to retard the operation of the lowering mechanism hile a corpse of ordinary weight is being lowered. If however the weight of the casket and its contents should be excessive and thus accelerate the speed of the lowering mechanism to an undesirable extent, the lever 45 of the emergency stop would swing outwardly and thus move into engagement with the projection 50. This will check the operation of the mechanism in the manner hereinbefore set forth and, should it be desired to release the lever 45 from engagement with the projection 50, it is merely necessary to slightly wind the strap 20 so that said lever 45 will not bind against projection 50 whereupon spring 49 will retract the lever againstv the stop pin 48. By then releasing the mechanism the lowering operation will continue as before. It is to be understood, of course, that other means than those described may be provided for disengaging the lever 45 from tie stop 50 should the two parts become bound together so as to stop the lowering operation.

The worm wheel 44 is in mesh with a worm 53, Fig. 7, which is formed upon a regulator shaft 54 suitably journaled in the corner box. The shaft has thereon a fixed collar 55 and a longitudinally movable collar 56, the collars 55 and56 being connected with each other by how springs 57 which are provided with centrifugally operated governor weights or balls 58, whereby as the rotation of the shaft causes the governor balls 58 to swing outward, the mov able collar is drawn downward toward the fixed collar 55. The movable collar 56 has fixed thereon a disk 59. The disk 59 is adapted to move downward, with the collar 56, into contact with a disk 60, which, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, is mounted. eccentrically upon a shaft (31 journaled in the corner box and having at its outer end a crank (32 formed with a lock pin or handle 63 surrounded by a spring 64 which serves to force it normally into engagement with any one of a circularly arranged series of sockets 65 formed in the corner box, whereby by pulling the handle (33 outward against the action of the spring 64 the shaft (31 can be rotated so as to produce any desired amount of friction between the eccentric disk 60 and the rotary disk 59, after which by releasing the handle (-33, the spring 64 will cause the same to be locked in adjusted position.

The operation of the governor mechanism is thought to be obvious from the foregoing description in connection with the drawing.

What is cl aimed as new is 1. Burial apparatus including a frame having corner boxes,v shafts ournaled therein, disks secured to the shafts, tubular mem bers connected to and reroluble with the disks, flexible supporting members secured thereto and adapted to unwind therefrom under the weight of a supported casket, shafts housed and centered in and revoluble with said members, a tubula section telescopically connected to said members and having its ends slidably engaging and rotating with said housed shafts, end connections between the boxes, governing means carried by one of the boxes, and

means in one of the end connections and in the adjacent boxes for operatively connecting the members at one side of the frame to the members at the other side of the frame to insure rotation of the members in unison.

2. Burial apparatus including a frame having corner boxes, shafts jonrnaled therein, disks secured to the shafts, tubular winding members connected to and revoluble with. the disks, angular shafts housed and centered in and revoluble with said members, a tubular section telescopinginto said members and having its ends slidably engaging and rotating with the angular shafts, flexible devices connected to and adapted to be wound on said members, telescopic end connections between the boxes, means in one of the end connections and in the adjacent boxes for transmitting motion from the members at one side of the frame to the members at the other side of the frame, and actuating means carried by one of the other boxes.

3. In burial apparatus the combination with means for raising and lowering a casket, of a governor therefor comprising in combination a main shaft, a ratchet fixed thereon, a worm wheel loose thereon, an automatically operated pawl on said worm wheel engaging said ratchet, a worm shaft engaging said worm wheel, a second worm wheel fixed on said worm shaft, a pivotally mounted arm on said second worm wheel, constituting an emergency stop, means for holding said arm in inoperative position, means for engaging said arm when in operative position to stop the rotation of said second worm wieel, a second worm shaft meshing with said second worm wheel, a fixed and a movable collar on said second worm shaft, bow springs connecting said collars and provided with governor and weights, a disk connected with said movable collar, an eccentric disk having its axis radial to the axis of said second worm shaft, a crank member connected with said eccentric disk, and a spring operated handle member connected with said crank and serving to lock said eccentric disk in different positions of adjustment.

+t. In a device of the character described, the combination with supporting straps, a pair of rotatable sleeves to which said straps are secured, a plu 'ality of heads in which said sleeves terminate and on which said sleeves are rotatably mounted, means whereby said sleeves rotate synchronously, a governor to control the rotation of said sleeves when a weight is placed upon said straps, and a pawl and ratchet and'worm and worm wheel interposed between said sleeves and said governor.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with straps adapted to support a casket, a pair of rotatable elements to which said straps are secured, means for supporting said elements, means whereby said elements rotate synchronously, and a centrifugal governor to control the rotation of said elements when a weight is placed upon said straps.

G. In a device of the character described, the combination with supporting straps, a pair of rotatable sleeves to which said straps are secured, means for supporting said sleeves, means whereby .aid sleeves rotate synchronously,v centrifugal governor to control the rotation of said sleeves when a weight is placed upon said straps, and a worm and worm wheel interposed between said sleeves and said governor.

7. In a device of the character described the combination with straps adapted to support a sket, rotatable means to which said straps are secured, means for supporting said rotatable means, means whereby said rotatable means are rotated synclu'onously, and a centrifugal. governor adapted to control the rotation of said rotatable means when the same is rotated due to a weight placed upon said straps, said governor having an emergency stop operative upon undue increase in speed of said governor.

8. in a device of the character described, the combination with su iporting straps, a pair of rotatable slc ves to which said straps are secured, a plurality of heads in which said sleeves terminate and on which said sleeves are rotatably mounted, means where by said sleeves rotate synchronously, av governor to control the rotation of said sleeves who a weight is placed upon said straps. a worm and worm wheel, a bearing in said head through which the worm wheel shaft projects, the protruding extremity of said shaft being adapted to receive a handle to wind up said straps upon said sleeves, said governor including a friction disk, and a cam cooperating with said friction disk to control the speed of said governor.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own. we have hereto a'liixcd our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. SHR-TNER. F ZANK A. QHR IN ER. FRED lV. MILLER.

\Vitnesses Yl innvnn T. Sanonunax, Armani Nnrsvuxnun.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

